$2.3B airports upgrade proposed

Airport fees, bonds and other sources will pay for the 12-year plan, Gov. Lingle says

Passenger terminals, ticket counters, baggage screening operations, runways and other facilities at all state airports are being upgraded as part of a $2.3 billion, 12-year airport modernization plan unveiled yesterday by the Lingle administration.

No money would be used from the state's general fund, Gov. Linda Lingle said.

The plan was developed in cooperation between the administration and the airlines and can be accomplished with the use of airport fees, federal and special funds, revenue bonds, grants and other sources of money, Lingle said.

"I think it's a reasonable plan financially," she said. "It's doable, it doesn't take any money out of the general fund and it's going to make for a world-class airport."

Some lawmakers expressed concern over the funding.

"The only question is the capability of the state in paying for it," said House Transportation Chairman Joe Souki (D, Waihee-Wailuku).

He and House Speaker Calvin Say (D, St. Louis Heights-Wilhelmina Rise-Palolo Valley) said they were worried that with the instability of the airline industry in Hawaii and nationwide, airport revenues might not be enough to pay for the project.

"I don't like the thought of bailing out the administration's project with taxpayer money somewhere down the road," Souki said.

COURTESY STATE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
Grand plans for the Honolulu Airport include modernizing its third-level transportation system. The existing system of Wiki Wiki buses, top, would be replaced with moving walkways, below.

Lingle and members of her administration acknowledged that the plan could not be accomplished without increasing some charges, such as landing fees and passenger facilities charges.

State Budget Director Georgina Kawamura noted that the first increase in any such fees is not expected until fiscal year 2008.

"We still have to work with the airlines to determine what that amount will be," she said.

Souki said he was concerned that an increase in fees for the airlines would likely be passed on to consumers in the form of higher fares or food, service and parking costs.

Lingle said she recognized that possibility, but added that the proposed upgrades are necessary to help the state's airports meet the growing needs of travelers in Hawaii.

"I think you always want to keep fares as low as possible while giving people a safe, modern airport," she said. "It's a balance of these two issues, and we're confident that people, when they see the improvements to the airports, will recognize that they do have to be paid for."

The improvements are in two categories: short- and long-term fixes, with priority given to Honolulu Airport and Kahului Airport on Maui.

Short-term projects at all airports are scheduled to be completed in the next five years. They include modernization of flight information display systems and security screening operations, new parking structures, building renovations, replacing jet bridges and resurfacing taxiways, among other improvements.

Long-term projects are expected to take between five and 12 years and include the construction of additional gates at some airports, more ticket lobbies and baggage claim facilities, and the development of an automated people mover system in Honolulu.

Improvements to include security, parking upgrades

The Lingle administration unveiled a $2.3 billion, 12-year modernization plan yesterday for all airports in Hawaii. In addition to the money set aside for these airports, $61 million is earmarked for upgrades at all other airports statewide. Here is a breakdown of the plan: